Since Alcohol Change UK’s Dry January campaign first began in 2013, the number of Brits taking part in this annual act of abstinence has dramatically risen, with more than one in four people having declared their plans to go alcohol-free in January. As millions of people are once again expected to participate this month, there will be much focus on the concerted effort to ditch alcohol after the boozy festive period. For SMEs, this presents the perfect opportunity to carry out drink-driver awareness training, according to Nicholas Lyes, policy and standards director at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart. 

A clean bill of health on drink driving

Drink driving has been a significant issue for many SMEs across the UK. IAM RoadSmart research shows that 52% of companies have experienced a drink-driving incident in the past three years, with 54% saying that incidents had a damaging effect on their organisation. After all, it’s not just the individual whose reputation is likely to suffer due to being involved in a drink-driving incident, but that of the company who they represent as well. Firms may also be subject to legal action and face challenges around their insurance policies, which may be impacted by the incident. 

Despite the clear risks that drink driving presents to business drivers, their organisations, and other road users, IAM RoadSmart’s survey also found that nearly half (48%) of SMEs fail to provide any drink-driving awareness training to staff during the festive period. This is particularly alarming considering that December is a time of year when drink-driving incidents typically spike. Other research has revealed that a total of 5,247 drivers were recorded as being over the limit during the month of December across the festive periods in 2022, 2023, and 2024 . While this data is reflective of all motorists, not just those driving on work, it highlights the scale of the issue that businesses face around enforcing responsible behaviour, especially considering IAM RoadSmart’s research shows that 85% of SMEs hold a Christmas party, at which alcohol is typically present.

In light of this, and the worrying lack of training provided over Christmas – January could be the ideal time to reset approaches to tackling the issue of drink driving. With abstinence from drinking an especially prevalent topic in the public consciousness as a result of the Dry January campaign, it seems like the perfect opportunity to educate or refresh business drivers on the dangers posed by drink driving, and the consequences that it could have for both them and the firm.

Despite the clear risks that drink driving presents, 48% of SMEs fail to provide any drink-driving awareness training to staff during the festive period

What’s more, with research showing that abstaining from alcohol during Dry January can significantly improve employee engagement, holding drink-driver training at this time of year could see stronger levels of engagement with the topics at hand, potentially improving participants’ retention of what they’ve learned and ultimately leading to better behaviours being instilled over the long term. By educating staff of the dangers of drink driving, companies can simultaneously improve the safety of business drivers and other road users, decrease the number of drink-driving incidents, and reduce the various expenses that such incidents can incur on organisations. Reputationally, this will also present SMEs with a big win in the corporate social responsibility stakes.

Despite the benefits that training can deliver, IAM RoadSmart’s research also exposed concerns with in-house awareness training is high among SMEs, with 39% of respondents declaring that provision in their company could be better. Considering this, investing in third-party training courses could offer the best solution, relieving the burden on firms to provide training first-hand while giving business drivers access to expert-led sessions that greatly minimise the risk of drink-driving incidents before they happen. 

The best way for SMEs to start 2026

Providing drink-driving awareness training to their business drivers is a great way for firms to kick off the New Year, especially as many workers seek to detox after the festive period. In addition to delivering training, businesses planning to hold their Christmas Party in January should also consider holding an alcohol-free event, and in doing so begin to take action against drink-driving incidents that pose serious safety and reputational risks. 

Further information about IAM RoadSmart’s Toolbox Talks sessions is available here. 

Source: IOSH Magazine

Comment: "An excellent addition to dry January."